Is there a camp with nice girls?

amother

Sun, Jan 28 2024, 3:46 pm

My daughter went to camp last year for the first time as an 11 yr old. The camp was smallish and I thought it be an advantage to making friends. She had a miserable time. The girls were outright mean to her and it seems like to each other as well at times. They purposely made her feel left out and made fun of her. She gave me some examples and I was shocked that frum girls could act so cruel. So hard to believe that girls would act this way. My daughter is BH interesting, fun, and careful with hygiene etc. She can be somewhat shy around new people. Now, she has super low self confidence and doesn't want to go to camp at all. I would love to find a nice place for her. Not sure if there is one...? And if there is one....is there any way to get in?

amother

Nasturtium

Sun, Jan 28 2024, 4:57 pm

Sternberg is amazing everyone is accepted all kinds of girls from all different backgrounds. My daughters confidence grew so much and I attribute a huge part of it to camp.

Sternberg has such a huge mix and everyone has their own talents which really shine through! they give opportunities to grow like no other camp.

My oldest dd went to a different camp and it was a typical type of day/camp Sternberg is way better get's kids to come out of their shadows.

amother

DarkViolet

Sun, Jan 28 2024, 5:00 pm

amother Nasturtium wrote:

Similar experience

amother

DarkPurple

Sun, Jan 28 2024, 5:14 pm

amother Nasturtium wrote:

This was my experience too, but as a kid back in the 90s. Glad to hear it's still like that.

I was on the more modern end of the spectrum, kind of nerdy, and not all that socially successful before that year. I went to an MO camp the summer before and was bullied all summer. It was awful. When I came back I decided I was never going to go to camp again...until my neighbor convinced me to give Sternberg a try.

Let's just say...one of my best friends my first year there was chassidish. Another was a jappy girl who had gotten a whole new wardrobe just for camp (unheard of in those days). I loved pioneering and found that I had strengths I never knew existed. And I found that I could be friends with girls who weren't "like me." Went back there for a few years and then as staff too. It was a really great place, and I'm glad to hear that it still is.

(My older kids are boys, so I don't have experience with sending a girl to sleepover camp yet, but I'd definitely look into Sternberg.)

ETA: I went to Sternberg without any good friends in my bunk. I sort of knew one or two girls, but they weren't the ones I ended up being good friends with. I can't believe I took that leap, but I'm really glad I did.